Celebrating life at Barchester

The home had a smell of flowers and freshly baked cupcakes. Cards were spread around the entirety of the home. Many were blessed with visitors, some enjoyed video calls and some enjoyed the atmosphere of the day.

The residents were entertained by Melissa. They sang and danced the afternoon away before enjoying a homemade cupcake from second chef Kerrie. The home was filled with warmth and joy. All the ladies and gentlemen celebrated the day as we think it’s a day of showing love and care throughout.

Maisie and Julie really enjoyed the afternoon. Maisie said, “It was a wonderful day, the sun was shining, and the home was filled with flowers and chocolates, which are some of my favourite things in life.”

We headed out for a springtime drive and we had a blast. The ladies enjoyed a drive to Seaham and a picnic in the minibus away from the wind. We also had ice cream and then had a drive through Durham and along to Lanchester, where Betty used to visit often as she had relations there and wanted to see the village. 

The sun was shining, and the strong winds didn't stop us from having an amazing day out.   

We had an amazing party at Harton Grange with Caitlin Black singing and getting us on our feet dancing. 

Everyone was dressed up and enjoying the day and also enjoying the Guinness. The music was amazing and the party was loved by all.    

We celebrated Mother’s Day with some special cupcakes made by Helen the chef in the kitchen. The team worked hard to get all the cakes in lovely cake boxes and then gave them out to the ladies in the care home. 

It was a day filled with love, with family visiting and everyone enjoying getting gifts and spending time with loved ones.     

Our Mulberry Court minibus was out and about again this afternoon as we headed out with four of our residents and Miriam's friend Anne to St. Chads church in York.

Once a month, they hold afternoon "tea concerts" which are very popular in aid of charity – this time it was for the Alzheimer's society.

During the afternoon, we discovered that John had actually been a member of the choir at St. Chads church and after the concert he had a catch-up with an old friend who had promised to send his regards to everyone else in the choir.  

We gifted every lady within the home a bunch of fresh daffodils, in honour of Mothering Sunday. As some never became mothers themselves, they have all had an inspirational mother that we have reminisced about.

There were so many smiles on their faces as they received this beautiful gift, which took them straight to flower arranging, placing them in their bedrooms.

Everyone at Cookridge court wishes you all had a happy Mothering Sunday, as we remembered and celebrated all Mothers on this day.   

We had a lovely intergenerational session with our neighbouring school, Holy Name Catholic School! 

Pupils visited us, with workbooks in tow, to showcase their amazing work they have been doing in class. They took to going around each resident, telling them what they had been learning, reading pieces of work to them – it was amazing. 

Celebrating St Patrick’s Day, the children were dressed in green, giving it a lovely Irish feel. It was truly a wonderful afternoon watching two generations come together, seeing beautiful engagement and beaming smiles from our residents.       

Spending time outdoors offers substantial physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits for people living with dementia. It can help improve mood and sleep, reduce anxiety, enhance physical fitness, and offer opportunities for social interaction and sensory stimulation. 

So, with the sun beaming and clear blue skies, we took a trip to one of our local parks nearby to us, Yeadon Tarn. Picnic in tow and a flask of tea, we sat by the lake eating our lunch and watching all the surrounding wildlife. 

Finally, we finished off with a lovely walk round and feeding the ducks, swans and geese – it was a truly wholesome afternoon.